The Great Barrier Reef offers an unparalleled setting for field-based marine science learning, making a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site a highlight for high school students studying marine science. This educational excursion is designed to immerse students in real-world marine ecosystems, supporting curriculum outcomes through hands-on investigation and observation. Staying on a tropical island allows students to explore both coastal rainforest habitats and the inner reef, where they encounter extraordinary marine biodiversity. Guided by an experienced marine biologist, students study reef ecology, species interactions, and environmental processes, while expert-led presentations and in-water activities deepen understanding of marine systems, conservation, and human impacts.
for 15 or more students v
for 10-14 students
Details
- Learn from a marine biologist with mini-lectures and hands-on assignments
- Set up camp only steps from the water on a lush tropical island
- Visit a turtle rehabilitation centre
- Meet expert marine scientists at James Cook University
- Plunge into a dazzling show of colour and life at the outer Great Barrier Reef
- Contribute to ongoing efforts in reef health monitoring
- Learn from an Indigenous local about managing resources OR participate in a mangrove workshop
- OPTION: Participate in a community service project that helps the reef
15+ students: $1329 AUD per person (inc GST)
10-14 students: $1365 AUD per person (inc GST)
Includes:
- Risk assessment
- Cairns airport transfers
- Small World Journeys land guide Day 1
- Marine guide(s) on Days 2-3
- Additional educators, guides and boat crew
- All activities and entrance fees as described in the itinerary
- Transportation to activities
- 2 nights at Cairns 3-star hotel (2 or 3-share hotel rooms with ensuite)*
- 1 night island camping (toilets and cold showers available)
- Tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags
- All continental breakfasts
- All lunches
- All dinners
- Snacks (includes fresh fruit & share containers of chips, biscuits & crackers)
- 101 Animals of the Great Barrier Reef field guide for each student
- Mask, fins, and snorkel hire on Fitzroy Island and outer reef trip
- Pre-trip educational information
- Marine Park taxes & levies
- Reusable water bottle and cloth shopping bag
- Donation made to Reef Restoration Foundation to the “Care for Coral” program on behalf of your group (we give you a certificate on your trip)
- NEW: we offset the carbon emissions from your trip activities AND your flight to Cairns through Reforest
*Two teacher rooms (private twin or triple share rooms) are included in the trip price for groups of 15 students or more. For trips with low numbers (10-14), one teacher room is included. A single supplement is charged if an additional private room is required for the trip. If teachers are happy to share a room, no additional costs are incurred.
Small World Journeys reserves the right to change the order of activities for logistical reasons.
Prices are valid for travel 1 April 2026 until 31 March, 2027 outside of peak travel times.
(If you wish to travel before 1 April 2026, ask us about 2025-26 pricing)
Peak times: 1-7 April | 21 June – 13 July | 19 September – 6 October 2026
- Airfare to Cairns
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses ( souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
- Optional Mangrove Cleanup (in conjunction with mangroves activity)
Planning Your Trip
ACCESSIBILITY MENU: Small World Journeys’ website provides an accessibility menu. Visitors to our website can click on the “person” icon on the right side of the screen to bring up this menu. Options include increasing/decreasing font size, increasing/decreasing contrast, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and the ability to hide images, among other things.
BOOKING FORM: On our online booking form, we ask all participants to list any special needs they have, be them medical, dietary, or accessibility needs. We also offer free sensory packs to our guests who are neurodivergent, which include headphones, a timer for transitions, a squeezy fidget toy, and other treats to appeal to the senses like flavoured lip balm.
WAIVER FORMS: We understand that not all of our participants’ parents have a strong command of written English and therefore understanding and signing our on-line waiver may prove challenging. We therefore have our wavier form available in the following languages on request: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.
Arrival at Cairns Airport
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS: Public toilets are located throughout the terminals. Each toilet facility includes an accessible toilet suitable for wheelchair access.
TGSI and HEARING LOOPS: The Cairns Airport makes use of Tactile Ground Service Indicators (TGSI) and Hearing Loops to assist people with vision impairments and hearing difficulties, respectively. For example, Braille is included on toilet doors/signs to assist a person with vision impairment locate the correct facility.
ASSISTANCE FOR HIDDEN DISABILITIES: If you or someone you are travelling with has a hidden disability, you can request a hidden disability lanyard through a form here. Wearing a sunflower lanyard when you are at Cairns Airport is a discreet way for you to indicate to the airport team that you may need a little extra help, guidance or time with the airport processes. The airport team has been trained to recognise the lanyard and provide the assistance and support you may need. Some of the airport staff will also be wearing a Sunflower badge on their shirts or lanyards to help you feel a little more at ease.
VISUAL AND WRITTEN STORY GUIDES: Visual Story Guides are available for Domestic Arrivals and have been designed to help you to understand how an airport works and what to expect. Written Story Guides are also available for Domestic Arrivals.
Our Safety Talks
Our arrival safety talk is done verbally but is supported by cards that illustrate the main talking points. Similarly, our snorkelling safety talk is done in the same manner, supported by cards with pictures and illustrations.
We can provide a transcript of our safety talk to any hearing-impaired guest.
Transport
Our buses have two steps up of approximately 40 cms to get inside. There is no lift for a wheelchair or mobility device. Similarly, on occasion we hire large coaches for bigger groups and those buses also have two steps up of about 40 cms to get inside. All buses are equipped with seatbelts.
Presentations & Workshops
OUR OFFICE & PRESENTATION SPACE: We use the Small World Journeys office space for presentations, workshops and some community service projects. There is a rise of approximately 2 cm to enter the presentation room. We have one accessible, gender-neutral toilet block with shower.
In the outside area of our office, planes fly overhead frequently and the noise can be startling and confronting. However, as part of the terms of construction, the entire building has sound mitigation devices (double glazed windows, etc.) which creates the opportunity for multiple breakout spaces for neuro-divergent people who desire a quiet space with reduced stimuli.
Our presentations are designed to appeal to both visual and auditory learners. We can provide a transcript of our presentations to any hearing-impaired guest.
NOVOTEL PRESENTATION SPACE: We also use Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort for presentations at dinnertime.
Overall accessible resort information:
- All entries to the hotel are wheelchair-accessible
- 2 accessible spaces in the on-site car park, near lifts
- 1 accessible toilet in hotel lobby (hand rail | grab bar)
- Most walkways within the hotel are wheelchair-accessible
- Well-lit main areas
- All meeting rooms are accessible
- Braille call buttons for lifts on each floor (external)
- On-site restaurant & breakfast buffet is mostly accessible – Please ask for assistance at hot food station.
Hotels
FLEXIBILITY WITH ACCOMMODATION: We have flexibility with the accommodation we choose; therefore if we know in advance that we have a guest with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or is short statured, we can choose hotels that cater accordingly.
PREFERRED HOTEL 1: One of our preferred Cairns hotels is centrally located and one block from the waterfront. The reception and breakfast room are widely accessible through a double automatic door as there are no steps or thresholds. Accessible guest rooms are all on the ground level. The staff are happy to move the furniture around if required, and the rooms are fitted with a zipped-together queen bed or two single beds depending on preference. The under-bed clearance is 40mm, and there’s around 1000mm of space between the side of the bed and the wall. Unfortunately, the balconies have sliding door tracks and may not be completely accessible. Light switches are all large dish-style type and located 1000mm from the floor in accessible locations. The air conditioning can be remotely controlled. Moving into the bathroom: the hotel boasts accessible showers and toilets that are hobless and fitted with a fold-down seat. Both horizontal and vertical grab rails are fitted and the shower is home to a hot and cold flick mixer tap. The lifts which provide access to the third accessible room provide ample space for wheelchairs, and also boast buttons fitted with Braille.
PREFERRED HOTEL 2: A second preferred hotel is also centrally located. With accessible rooms that boast a double bed and a single bed, the staff at Coral Tree Inn are also happy to move the room furniture around to suit guests who use a wheelchair or mobility device. With a coffee and tea making space and a small bar fridge at hand, the TV can also be controlled by the remote. It’s worth noting that at this hotel the air conditioning unit cannot be operated by a remote. There is an accessible combined toilet and shower facility fitted with grab rails and a fold-down set. The shower is also hobless for added accessibility. Unfortunately, the balconies have sliding door tracks and may not be accessible to all guests, and there are also no designated accessible parking bays. However, there is ample room for drop offs immediately in front of reception.
Entering the reception may also be a little difficult as the door is manual, but staff are always happy to assist (and man the desk 24 hours). There are wide paths that lead from the reception to every area of the resort, including the BBQ area, the pool and the adjoining dining room.
Meals & Restaurants
FLEXIBILITY WITH RESTAURANTS & CATERING: We have quite a bit of flexibility with the restaurants we choose; therefore if we know in advance that we have a guest with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or is short statured, we can choose restaurants that cater accordingly.
We offer flexible menu options for people who have food allergies or intolerances, and in many cases religious requirements relating to food.
Guests are given space on our online booking form to specify their allergy, intolerance or religious requirement. On arrival we then give them a bag containing, for example, lactose-free milk, nut-free cereal and snacks, and/or other food items that cater to this allergy or intolerance. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee catering for preferences like low carb meals or FODMAP.
Similarly, we inform all caterers and restaurants of our guests’ food allergies or intolerances. Breakfast is typically served at the hotel, whilst lunches are often boxed lunches as we move around quite a bit on our tours.
Activities
If we are informed in the planning phase of your trip about any participants or (potential participants) who have disabilities or special needs, we can suggest certain activities over others or suggest certain boats to the reef. For example, one boat that travels to the reef has a lift for a guest in a wheelchair to get in and out of the water which is a great choice for guests with wheelchairs or mobility devices. Conversely, we know that the facilities on the boat that travels to the Fitzroy Island reef is not well set up for those with wheelchairs or mobility devices. We also can include activities such as the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which recognises and supports the Sunflower program for people with hidden disabilities.
On this particular trip, there is a visit to James Cook University and an overnight reef excursion:
James Cook University:
There are ramps and lifts that give wheelchair and mobility device access to most of the University and there are accessible toilets in every building on the University campus. There are spot on campus where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli. As the presentations and information about the marine labs are given verbally and there is limited support for people with hearing impairments.
The Great Barrier Reef Overnight Trip/Island Stay:
- The boat cannot accommodate persons using wheelchairs and mobility devices.
- Safety instructions are given verbally (no written instructions available).
- The captain is the first point of call for any questions or queries in regards to accessibility and/or special requirements that guests may have on the day.
- Assistance dogs are permitted, but must be confirmed with the reservations team prior to the trip.
- The boat uses pictogram signs (for example a pictogram showing feet standing on coral with a red line through it) to assist people with low literacy levels or who speak English as a second language. The company also has risk snorkel assessment forms in Japanese & Chinese for those nationalities.
- The distance from the Reef Fleet terminal to the vessel is approximately 150 metres; unfortunately no assistance is available for guests with mobility impairments.
- Lunch catering is sourced from a third party contractor who supply very detailed ingredient lists on request. Most dietary restrictions (gluten or lactose free, vegan, nut-free) can be accommodated.
- Although the boat itself does not have a specific low-stimulus quiet area, there are places on the island that could serve in this capacity.
- The island has dirt tracks and uneven terrain to get to the turtle rehab centre, and the beach front is mostly coral rubble.
- The campground is an uneven grassy area, and the campground toilets are not accessible.
Departure at Airport
VISUAL AND WRITTEN STORY GUIDES: Visual Story Guides are available for Domestic Departures and have been designed to help you to understand how an airport works and what to expect. Written Story Guides are also available for Domestic Departures.
Excursion Safety & Compliance Checklist
1. Check Small World Journeys Safety Record
☐ Demonstrated excellent safety record with thousands of high school students – both Australian students and international students
☐ Teacher safety references available on request
☐ Proven experience delivering school excursions and educational tours
2. Risk Management & Documentation
☐ Written risk assessment completed for every excursion
☐ Risk assessment provided to organising teacher prior to departure
☐ Activities governed by documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
☐ Crisis Management Plan in place and available to schools
☐ Daily risk review conducted by guides during the program
3. Student Safety Briefings
☐ Mandatory student safety briefing delivered during program orientation
☐ Briefing addresses local environmental hazards and regional risks
☐ Clear expectations for student behaviour and group safety
4. Transport Safety
☐ All buses fitted with seatbelts for every passenger
☐ Vehicles exceed Queensland minimum legal requirements
☐ Daily vehicle safety checks conducted by guides
☐ Buses undergo Department of Transport inspections every 12 months
5. Guide Qualifications & Child Safety
☐ All guides hold current Senior First Aid certification
☐ All guides hold current CPR certification
☐ Valid Driver’s Authority held by guides when driving
☐ Valid Working With Children Check (Blue Card)
☐ Guides have undergone thorough background screening
☐ Guides trained in duty of care, code of conduct with teenagers and risk management
6. Supervision & Duty of Care
☐ Appropriate student-to-guide supervision ratios
☐ Teachers supported by experienced trained guides
☐ Clear lines of responsibility for student wellbeing and incident response
7. Compliance Assurance
☐ Program aligns with school excursion policies and approval requirements
☐ Documentation suitable for principal approval and risk review
☐ Ongoing communication with schools before and during the excursion
Itinerary
Arrival in Cairns:
On arrival in Cairns, you are met by a Small World Journeys staff member and take part in a brief program orientation and safety briefing, preparing students for field-based marine science investigations in Far North Queensland. (Plan to arrive by noon today.)
Marine Science Seminar:
Next, you travel to James Cook University for a marine science–focused seminar. JCU is Australia’s leading university for environmental and marine sciences, offering specialist programs and facilities unique to the region. Students engage with world-class researchers and research-grade equipment, gaining insight into contemporary marine science, conservation, and applied research methods aligned with the high school Marine Science curriculum.
Marine Labs & Aquarium:
Popular with documentary film crews, JCU’s marine laboratories and aquaria provide exceptional opportunities to observe marine animal behaviour and physiology up close. Advanced camera systems enable detailed observation, while a unique circular flow tank simulates ocean currents for the controlled study of jellyfish movement and behaviour. Students meet scientists working at the forefront of marine research, learn how venom is ethically extracted from fish for study, and explore how this research contributes to antivenom development and human health.
Dangerous Marine Creatures & Mangrove Biome:
Students encounter a range of biologically significant and potentially dangerous marine species, including seahorses, juvenile crocodiles, cone shells, the highly venomous Chironex (box jellyfish), and the Australian lungfish, a rare species maintained in captivity only at JCU. Familiar reef species—popularised by Finding Nemo—are also featured. You then investigate a working mangrove biome model, an essential research tool for studying salinity tolerance, water quality, nutrient cycling, and climate change mitigation. This controlled environment allows students to closely examine marine and coastal systems they will soon encounter in the field.
Expert Speaker:
Guest speakers may include renowned venomologist Jamie Seymour, whose research has transformed understanding of jellyfish sting treatment, or Richard Fitzpatrick, an Emmy Award–winning marine biologist and cinematographer known as “the Shark Wrangler,” with more than 50 films for BBC, National Geographic, and Discovery Channel. These sessions connect classroom science to real-world research and careers in marine science.
Life in the Sea:
After dinner with your marine naturalist, students are introduced to the major marine phyla and the extraordinary diversity of life on the Great Barrier Reef. The session explores ecological relationships, food webs, and species adaptations to changing marine environments. Students also review key threats to the reef, current scientific responses, and practical actions individuals can take to support marine conservation, reinforcing curriculum themes of ecosystem dynamics, human impacts, and sustainability.
Accommodation: Cairns 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Travel to the Reef:
This morning you travel by ferry to Fitzroy Island, a pristine tropical island surrounded by a fringing coral reef that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef. The calm, sheltered waters around the island provide ideal habitat for a wide diversity of reef fish, corals, and invertebrates, making it a perfect outdoor classroom for marine science students.
Tidal Charts and Currents:
Following an island orientation, students analyse tidal charts and ocean currents to determine the safest and most suitable snorkelling locations for the day. You review snorkelling equipment and essential water-safety procedures, then apply your understanding of physical oceanography to predict how tides and currents influence marine organisms and reef conditions.
Snorkelling and Marine Life ID:
During your first snorkel, students observe a range of reef species including giant clams, green sea turtles, cuttlefish, lionfish, spaghetti coral, vibrant coral gardens, and fluorescent parrotfish. With guidance from your marine science educator, you identify examples of plankton, nekton, and benthos, then discuss their ecological roles as producers, consumers, or decomposers, linking observations directly to marine food webs and energy flow.
Food Pyramids and Classifications:
After a hearty lunch, your marine guide leads a session on marine food pyramids and biological classification. Using species encountered on the reef, students compare classification groups based on structure, function, feeding strategies, and habitat requirements, reinforcing curriculum concepts related to biodiversity and organism classification.
Reef Restoration Coral Project:
Before your second snorkel, students examine why coral reefs are at risk and explore real-world conservation responses through the work of Reef Restoration Foundation. Fitzroy Island hosts the first coral propagation gardens on the Great Barrier Reef, demonstrating reef resilience and adaptation. Students learn how resilient corals are selected, propagated, and grown on coral “trees” to accelerate reef recovery following damage from cyclones and bleaching events. You view both a miniature coral tree model and the active underwater coral garden maintained by volunteers.
Camping at Water’s Edge:
Your campsite is located just steps from the water, where you set up tents in a stunning island setting. Facilities include a BBQ area, covered pergola for meals, and an amenities block with toilets and cold showers. A small on-site store and Foxy’s Café provide a relaxed space with games and music, offering a memorable overnight experience immersed in the marine environment.
Accommodation: Fitzroy Island Campground
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lighthouse Hike:
This morning students seeking a challenge can join their guide on a scenic hike that climbs through tropical rainforest, transitions into dry open forest, and opens onto sweeping coastal views. The walk concludes at a historic lighthouse, where panoramic vistas across the Coral Sea provide an opportunity to discuss coastal geomorphology, vegetation zonation, and land–sea interactions relevant to marine and coastal systems.
Snorkelling and Species Identification:
Next, students continue their in-water investigations with a marine naturalist, building skills in species identification. Using waterproof coral reef identification tiles, students classify hard and soft corals, major fish families, and marine invertebrates, reinforcing concepts of biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological niches within reef ecosystems.
CoralWatch Data Collection:
Students then collect primary scientific data through participation in the CoralWatch program, a global citizen-science initiative addressing climate change and coral bleaching. Working in pairs, students identify coral types, match coral colour to a standardised colour chart, and record observations following a scientific protocol. The data is submitted to CoralWatch scientists at the University of Queensland, contributing to long-term monitoring of reef health worldwide. Each group receives a graph of their results, supporting skills in data analysis, interpretation, and evaluation aligned with the marine science curriculum.
Turtle Rehabilitation Centre:
During the day, students also visit the island’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, where volunteers care for sick and injured sea turtles prior to release. Students learn about turtle biology, life cycles, and conservation status, as well as the human impacts—such as marine debris and habitat loss—that affect turtle populations on the Great Barrier Reef.
Great Barrier Reef Field Guide:
Each student receives 101 Animals of the Great Barrier Reef, written by Dr Martin Cohen, providing a valuable marine science field guide to support ongoing species identification, independent learning, and deeper understanding of reef biodiversity.
Optional Evening Activity – Documentary Film:
In the evening, students may choose to watch an environmental documentary, designed to complement the scientific themes of the program. These films encourage reflection, discussion, and informed action on marine conservation issues (no extra cost).
Accommodation: Cairns 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Indigenous Speaker:
This morning, students learn from a local Indigenous speaker who shares personal experiences of growing up and living in this coastal region. Topics include the traditional use of marine and terrestrial resources, the role of totems in ecosystem relationships, and what sustainability means from an Indigenous perspective. Students gain insight into longstanding stewardship of Sea Country, seasonal knowledge, and sustainable harvesting practices—key links to marine science concepts such as resource management, interdependence, and conservation ethics. (Available weekdays only.)
– OR –
Mangrove Workshop:
Your guide leads an interactive workshop exploring mangrove ecosystems and their critical role in supporting the Great Barrier Reef. Walking through a functioning mangrove habitat—an essential nursery ground for fish and invertebrates—students learn about salt tolerance (halophytic adaptations), root structures, nutrient cycling, and coastal protection. The session highlights how mangroves filter runoff, stabilise shorelines, and underpin reef food webs, aligning with marine science curriculum outcomes on ecosystem services and coastal processes.
Optional Mangrove Cleanup:
As a community service option, students can participate in a mangrove clean-up, removing household rubbish that threatens coastal habitats and marine life. Teams tally collected items to quantify human impacts on ecosystems, reinforcing skills in data collection and environmental assessment while directly supporting reef health.
Meals Included: Breakfast
How Your Trip Makes The World A Better Place
We’re not talking rainbows and unicorns. We’re talking about how we have put significant thought into how to make our student tours as safe as they possibly can be while still being fun; encouraging students to learn about and contribute to the community they are travelling in; and teaching them what “sustainability” really means.
Sustainability
OUR COMMITMENT: We are determined and motivated to be the most sustainable business we can be. This is why we run our office on renewable energy, voluntarily offset our carbon emissions (AND your flights to get to us!), and fulfilling our policy to give at least 5% of our annual net profits to local environmental and community organisations and charities. Here’s what else we are doing:
HELPING THE REEF: For every group that visits the reef, we make a donation to the Reef Restoration Foundation (RRF) to support their "Care for a Coral" program. The coral propagation work led by RRF is groundbreaking and recognised as a major initiative in efforts to help restore the reef. Each group receives a "Care for a Coral" certificate from RRF as a token of our contribution and commitment to reef conservation.
ADOPTING A RAINFOREST PLOT IN YOUR NAME: For each group that visits the rainforest, we contribute to the not-for-profit organisation Reforest to support the planting and nurturing of a tree, helping to regenerate the endangered Mabi rainforest. As part of your excursion, your group will receive a certificate recognising this meaningful gift to the environment.
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Community
SUPPORTING OUR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY: It is our policy to include a talk or an activity with an Aboriginal person on every trip we offer. By taking this trip, you are supporting grassroots Indigenous tourism ventures and encouraging Aboriginal pride in culture.Additionally, our student community service project involves students in making “Moon Sick Care Bags” which supply re-usable sanitary products to Aboriginal women in remote communities — this helps both Indigenous women AND the environment! (Ask us how your group can do this on their tour)
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES: It is our policy to use locally owned suppliers and businesses unless their standards are not up to par (for example, if they have a bad environmental record).
VOLUNTEERING IN OUR COMMUNITY: Small World staff are incentivised to volunteer in the community...
Safety
SUPERB SAFETY RECORD: Small World Journeys has safely hosted thousands of Australian high school students on educational excursions across Australia. We are proud of our excellent safety record and are happy to provide teacher references specifically addressing student safety and risk management on request.
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR EVERY TRIP: A comprehensive risk assessment is completed for every school excursion and provided to the organising teacher prior to departure. All activities operate under documented safety protocols outlined in our Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Manual, supported by a detailed Crisis Management Plan. In addition, all students receive a mandatory safety briefing during orientation, addressing regional hazards, environmental risks, and expected behaviours relevant to Far North Queensland.
SAFE BUSES: All vehicles used on our student excursions are fitted with seatbelts for every passenger, exceeding Queensland legal requirements because student safety is our priority. Our guides conduct daily vehicle safety checks, and all buses undergo Department of Transport safety inspections every 12 months, ensuring compliance with national transport standards.
We do custom trips!
Still haven’t found exactly what you are looking for? All our tours are fully customisable and can be catered to suit your time-frame, student interests and budget. A geography excursion to the Great Barrier Reef? A biology excursion to the Daintree Rainforest? An Aboriginal culture excursion? Our educational trips in Queensland and New South Wales are hand-crafted for those who cannot find exactly what they want from the inflexible set itineraries of large tour operators.
If you are looking for a science trip, ecology trip, Aboriginal culture, or just a sample of the best of Australia – we can help.
